Senior Buyer

About the role

The Senior Buyer will execute, develop, and improve standard processes for each supplier to manage procurement, supplier relations, transportation, and inventory, ensuring high customer satisfaction. The role requires proactive issue identification and process improvements in material purchasing. Reporting to the Materials Manager, this position demands a high-energy, self-motivated individual who thrives in a results-driven environment with guidance and empowerment to leverage analytical and technical skills for self-directed performance.

Responsibilities

• Execute tactical buying processes to manage a global supply chain with 60% low-cost country (LCC) content, ensuring material supply meets customer requirements.
• Communicate with suppliers, manufacturing, quality, and commercial teams to align on manufacturing plans, new production introduction, product phase-out, and engineering changes.
• Partner with Supply Chain to explore new materials, suppliers, and processes to achieve optimal quality, reliability, prices, continuity, and delivery.
• Support crisis management by defining root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Conduct regular supplier status reviews to assess purchase order status, outages, and obstacles impacting the plan.
• Develop and implement processes to optimize inventory levels, ensuring on-time delivery while minimizing carrying costs and premium transportation charges.
• Identify purchase price variance (PPV) and inventory opportunities through supply chain analysis (PFEP), develop execution projects, and manage assigned PPV projects.
• Build strong strategic relationships with management at all levels.
• Support plant safety rules and safety observation processes.
• Attain targets and goals by driving KPIs and assigned plant metric targets.
• Enable business growth through reliable execution and consistent customer satisfaction.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline; experience in lieu of degree may be considered; continuing education is beneficial.
• 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated initiative and self-starter ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Assertive communication and strong interpersonal skills, including attention to detail and organizational ability.
• Creativity with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate and influence effectively across functions and at all organizational levels.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, other Microsoft Office products, and working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems.
• Schedule flexibility to communicate with an international supply base in Europe and China.
• APICS or similar certification or training is a plus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage for positions of 30+ hours per week.
• Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions.
• Company-provided insurance including life, accidental death and dismemberment, and short-term disability.
• Voluntary insurance options for additional coverage, including critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity, and long-term disability.
• 401(k) plan with matching contributions, fully vested from day one.
• Educational support including tuition reimbursement and scholarship opportunities.
• Lifestyle reimbursement: $150 Amazon gift card upon completion of annual physical.
• Wellness program featuring health coaching, monthly webinars, quarterly challenges, and gift card incentives.
• Safe and clean work environment.
• Generous paid time off: 14 paid holidays including a holiday shutdown between Christmas and New Year’s, plus paid vacation available from day one.
• Paid parental leave.